Posts Tagged ‘braun’

A special arbitration panel ruled Thursday in a 2-1 vote to reverse the 50-game suspension imposed on Milwaukee Brewer superstar Ryan Braun. Braun, the reigning National League MVP, submitted a urine sample in October that contained a very high level of testosterone resulting in a failed test.

Despite the ruling, a cloud of uncertainty still looms large over Braun’s legacy in the eyes of fans and the media. Multiple sources have reported the reasoning behind Braun’s exoneration was due to a technicality in the shipment, storage and chain of custody associated with the sample. The test was conducted on a Saturday. The collector of the sample did not send the sample to the testing laboratory until Monday, thinking the FedEx office was already closed for the day. Instead he kept the sample in a cool place in his home over the weekend. Braun’s defense argued that chain of custody had been broken and the sample had been compromised.

Major League Baseball has expressed their displeasure with the ruling. A statement from MLB executive vice president for labor relations Rob Manfred stated “While we have always respected that process, Major League Baseball vehemently disagrees with the decision rendered today by arbitrator Shyam Das.”

Despite Major League Baseball’s objections and what some feel to be a reversal due to a technicality, Ryan Braun will be in the starting lineup for the Milwaukee Brewers on opening day. With the departure of superstar Prince Fielder in the offseason via free agency, the Brewers will rely heavily on their MVP to lead them back to the postseason in 2012. Milwaukee begins the season at home on Friday, April 6th against the visiting World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals.